LinkApp: Reimagining Local Social Discovery
The Challenge
Picture this: You're a college student who just moved to Seattle. It's Friday night, and you're scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, and random event websites trying to figure out what's happening around campus. Sound familiar?
This was the exact problem that landed on my desk in February 2021 when LetsLink LLC approached me with an ambitious vision: create a location-based social app that would revolutionize how people discover and connect with their local community.
My Role
As the sole UX/UI Designer on this project, I wore multiple hats—researcher, interaction designer, and visual designer. Over 3 months, I transformed a concept into a fully-realized product that would change how thousands of students and locals connect.
The Discovery: Understanding the Real Problem
Initial Assumptions vs. Reality
We started with the assumption that people simply needed another social app. We were wrong.
Through 15 user interviews and extensive research, I uncovered something more profound:
"We have so many concerts and performances in Seattle, but everything is scattered across random websites and Facebook. I can't keep up with everything." — Mary, University of Washington student
This wasn't just about finding events—it was about feeling disconnected in an increasingly connected world.
Key Insights
🎯 Insight #1: The Paradox of Choice
Students were overwhelmed by fragmented information across multiple platforms. They needed a unified, location-centric view of their social world.
🛡️ Insight #2: Safety First, Socializing Second
Female users (62% of our target audience) expressed significant safety concerns about meeting strangers. Traditional dating apps hadn't solved this—we needed a new approach.
💼 Insight #3: Hidden Opportunity
Local businesses desperately wanted to connect with students but lacked effective channels. One coffee shop owner told me they regularly hosted events but struggled to reach their target audience.
The Solution: Designing for Real-World Connection
Reframing the Problem
Instead of building "another social app," I reframed LinkApp as a personal social radar—your guide to the social pulse of your immediate surroundings.
Core Features Born from User Needs
1. What's the Move™ - Your Social Dashboard
After observing users struggle with event discovery, I designed a timeline view that intelligently surfaces relevant events based on proximity, interests, and social connections.
2. LinkUp - Safe Social Meetings
Addressing safety concerns head-on, I created a feature that suggests public meeting locations, enables group meetups instead of just one-on-one interactions, includes user ratings and verification, and integrates emergency contact options.
3. GeoChat - Location-Based Communities
Imagine walking into your favorite coffee shop and instantly joining a chat with other patrons. I designed GeoChat to create ephemeral, location-based communities that foster real connections.
Suggests public meeting locations
Enables group meetups (not just 1-on-1)
Includes user ratings and verification
Provides emergency contact integration
The Design Process That Made It Work
🔍 Phase 1: Deep Dive Research
Conducted 15 user interviews
Analyzed 3 major competitors (Facebook, Snapchat, Tinder)
Created detailed user personas
Mapped user journeys for 5 key scenarios
[🔬 Insert Visual: Competitive analysis matrix comparing features]
✏️ Phase 2: Rapid Ideation
Generated 50+ concept sketches
Built paper prototypes for guerrilla testing
Created user flows for core features
Developed information architecture
🎨 Phase 3: Design & Iteration
Designed 40+ unique screens
Built interactive prototypes
Created comprehensive design system
Conducted 3 rounds of usability testing
The Impact: Measuring Success
Usability Testing Results
100% task completion for core features
4.8/5 satisfaction score from test users
73% of users said they would recommend to friends
Business Impact
Within 2 months of launch:
10,000+ downloads (exceeding projections by 200%)
3 university partnerships secured
25 local businesses joined as featured venues
The Ultimate Validation
The success of LinkApp caught the attention of investors in the social technology space. In late 2021, the app was acquired by a larger technology company looking to expand their local social offerings. While I can't disclose specific details due to NDAs, this acquisition validated both the market need we identified and the design solutions we created.
Lessons Learned: Growing as a Designer
1. Challenge Assumptions Relentlessly
What started as a "Tinder for friends" evolved into something much more meaningful because I pushed beyond surface-level solutions.
2. Data + Empathy = Impact
Combining quantitative metrics with qualitative insights led to features that users didn't just use—they loved.
Tools & Methods
Design: Figma, Adobe Illustrator
Research: Miro, Qualtrics
Testing: Figma, Maze
Handoff: Zeplin
What's Next?
LinkApp taught me that great design isn't just about beautiful interfaces—it's about understanding human needs and creating solutions that genuinely improve lives.
The pandemic made this project particularly challenging, forcing me to innovate in remote research methods. But constraints breed creativity, and the solutions we developed became strengths.
While LinkApp's journey as an independent product concluded with its acquisition, the design principles and user-centered approach I developed continue to influence my work. The lessons learned about balancing user privacy with social connection are more relevant than ever in today's digital landscape.
Want to see how I applied these learnings to other projects? Let's connect.
Quick Stats
Timeline: 3 months (Feb-Apr 2021)
Platform: iOS & Android
Team: Solo designer + 5 engineers
Methods: User interviews, competitive analysis, usability testing, A/B testing
Impact: 10K+ users, 3 university partnerships, 4.8/5 user satisfaction, successful acquisition